Soldier, pastor, pregnant women killed in Kaduna

There was pandemonium in Fadan-Karshi villages of Sanga local government of Kaduna state on Tuesday as gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen stormed the community, killing 52 persons including a pastor, four pregnant women, children and a soldier.

Two soldiers and other victims of the attack are are receiving treatment at the Gwantu General Hospital located in the local government area.

Dr. John Danfulani, spokesman for the Centre Initiative for Development and Fundamental Rights Advocacy (CEDRA), disclosed that over 40 houses were burnt, while several farmlands were destroyed in the attack.

Mike Sanga, a resident of the community, told reporters that the attack also spread to neighbouring communities.

“In our counting, 12 people were killed in Fadan Karshi, 30 in Fada Karshi Daji seven others in another community. A pastor and another person were also killed at Ungwar Ganye,” he said.

Pastor Bulus Mandey Anzah, the vice chairman of the local government, corroborated Anza’s claim, adding that hundreds of resident have flee their homes to unknown destinations.

“The attacks are getting worse everyday. Some of the soldiers who attempted to repeal the attack were also injured and one of them was killed,” he said.

“Many of the injured are now receiving treatment at the Gwantu General hospital.”

An official of Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) confirmed that over 50 people were killed in the attack.

The official who didn’t want his name mentioned because he was not authorised to speak with press, said several houses including a church were burnt to ashes.

He put the Internally Displaced Persons figure at over 10,000.

Describing the attack as an attempt to disrupt the relative peace in the state, Governor Mukhtar Yero urged the people to remain calm, assuring that security agents have been assigned to bring the situation under control.

“The attackers were clearly out to create tension in the state with selfish and dangerous aim,” Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, director-general, media and publicity to the governor in a statement.

“Security agencies have already been directed to commence operations aimed at restoring law and order in the state.”